Blog - Page 35 of 402 - Peninsula 360 Press

Mexico reaffirms its support for its fellow citizens in the United States: “You are not alone”

USA USA and World

Pamela Cruz

-

2024.12.06

0

Durante la primera visita del canciller de México, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, al consulado general en Dallas, Texas, el canciller anunció que México refrenda su respaldo y apoyo a connacionales en Estados Unidos. Foto: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Listen to this note:

El canciller de México, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, refrendó este jueves el respaldo y apoyo del gobierno mexicano a los connacionales en Estados Unidos, durante su primera visita de trabajo al consulado general en Dallas, Texas.

El funcionario encabezó diversas reuniones para fortalecer la estrategia de atención y protección integral que se brinda a través de la red consular a los mexicanos radicados en este país.

“Estoy aquí para transmitirle un mensaje muy claro a toda la comunidad de mexicanas y mexicanos en Estados Unidos: no están solos, nuestra red de servicios consulares está preparada para apoyarlos y protegerlos ante cualquier eventualidad”, precisó el funcionario, quien instruyó a los consulados a eficientar los servicios que brindan, atender las necesidades de los connacionales y dar respuestas rápidas, ofreciendo un trato más cálido.

En este sentido, informó que la próxima semana comenzará el proceso de digitalización de algunos de los servicios que más se demandan en los consulados como actas de nacimiento, matrimonio y defunción, lo cual permitirá brindar un mejor servicio a los connacionales.

El canciller De la Fuente, quien viajó hasta esta ciudad por instrucciones de la presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, se reunió con los once cónsules del país radicados en el estado de Texas, de Oklahoma y Albuquerque, y saludó a representantes de la comunidad mexicana, a quienes reiteró que la defensa de sus derechos humanos es una prioridad para esta administración federal.

De igual manera, el funcionario conversó con abogados aliados y del Programa de Asistencia Jurídica a Personas Mexicanas a través de Asesorías Legales Externas en los Estados Unidos de América (PALE), para planear la defensa de las y los mexicanos en el norte de Texas, así como las estrategias legales para hacer valer sus derechos.

A través del programa PALE, 232 familias mexicanas asentadas en Dallas han recibido asesoría y representación legal para la defensa de sus derechos y regularizar su estatus migratorio.

Como parte de esta visita, y en compañía del jefe de la Unidad para América del Norte, Roberto Velasco, y el cónsul general de Dallas, Francisco de la Torre, el canciller se reunió con mujeres líderes mexicanas quienes compartieron sus historias y las aportaciones de cada una a la comunidad hispana residente en Texas. De la Fuente les transmitió el compromiso de México de velar por los derechos de la comunidad migrante.

Asimismo, el canciller visitó y recorrió el Centro de Procesamiento de la Oficina del Servicio de Control de Inmigración y Aduanas (ICE) en Dallas, para conocer, de primera mano, los procesos que siguen en dicho centro para garantizar que los derechos humanos de los connacionales sean respetados en todo momento.

En una atención a medios, el canciller destacó el esfuerzo que está realizando el Gobierno federal para combatir al fentanilo, a través de una nueva estrategia de seguridad, como quedó demostrado con el reciente decomiso de esta droga en territorio nacional el cual no tiene precedentes en la historia de este opioide.

Finalmente, De la Fuente se reunió con directivos de empresas de inversión mexicana en Estados Unidos, donde generan miles de empleos, con el propósito de fortalecer y generar puentes de entendimiento en la relación comercial bilateral.

You may be interested in: Trump threatens to impose tariffs of 25% on all products from Mexico and Canada, Mexican president responds without hesitation

Colleen Chawla, San Mateo County's new health chief

Pamela Cruz

-

2024.12.06

0

Colleen Chawla, San Mateo County's new health chief

Listen to this note:

County Executive Mike Callagy announced Thursday the appointment of Colleen Chawla as the new chief of San Mateo County Health, the largest department in the organization.

“I am very excited to introduce Colleen to our community. She brings tremendous enthusiasm to take on this leadership role that has a huge impact on so many of our residents,” Callagy said. “Her extensive experience in executive and health leadership will serve the county and community well today and in the future.”

Chawla comes to the Peninsula from Alameda County Health, where she has served as agency director since 2017.

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is expected to confirm Chawla's appointment on Tuesday. Chawla will take office Feb. 18, 2025, as head of a department with 2,200 employees and an annual budget of $1.3 billion.

Chawla attributes her interest in health policy and administration to her volunteer work more than three decades ago for an AIDS information hotline.

“That volunteer position marked the beginning of a career in health policy and public health, sustained over the years by the things I care most about: the right to health, equity and justice, and managing public trust,” Chawla said.

Chawla emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Louise Rogers, who has served as health chief since 2015. Rogers announced this fall that she would retire after 22 years of serving in numerous leadership roles at San Mateo County Health.

“I have known Colleen for many years,” Rogers said. “Together we have navigated many of the challenges of the pandemic as Bay Area health directors and she has always been calm and thoughtful in the face of everything that has come our way. She also seems to find grace and a sense of humor, as is often needed. I will retire with great confidence that the County Health Department is in good hands.”

Chawla holds a master's degree in public administration/health services administration from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Southern California. Prior to joining Alameda County, she held several positions during her 13 years with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, including deputy health director.

As Alameda County health director, Chawla has overseen 1,900 employees and a $1.2 billion annual budget in a county with a population more than twice that of San Mateo County.

The agency’s portfolio includes public health, behavioral health, environmental health, and housing and homelessness. One key difference: San Mateo County operates its own public hospital, San Mateo Medical Center; Alameda County has a separate agency that operates its public hospitals and clinics.

You may be interested in: New labor contracts approved for San Mateo County employees

No date for agreement: Half Moon Bay councilors fail to finalize Kelly Project 555

Emma Garcia

-

2024.12.04

0

No date for agreement: Half Moon Bay councilors fail to finalize Kelly Project 555

Kelly Project 555 — Proyecto Kelly 555 se encuentra en conversación entre los miembros del miembros del Ayuntamiento de Half Moon Bay, los concejales señalaron que, debido a que aún se está negociando un contrato de arrendamiento entre la desarrolladora Mercy Housing y la ciudad, dejando sin fecha fija para un acuerdo que finalmente permita que trabajadores agrícolas de edad avanzada obtenga.

Listen to this note:

El martes por la noche, miembros del Ayuntamiento de Half Moon Bay celebraron una reunión a puerta cerrada sobre el Proyecto 555 Kelly. Sin embargo, los concejales señalaron que, debido a que aún se está negociando un contrato de arrendamiento entre la desarrolladora Mercy Housing y la ciudad, dejando sin fecha fija para un acuerdo que finalmente permita que trabajadores agrícolas de edad avanzada obtengan una vivienda asequible.

Así, el proyecto que nació a raíz del tiroteo de 2023, donde siete trabajadores agrícolas murieron y una más resultó lesionada, parece no tener resolución en el horizonte.

Entre los concejales, estaba Patric Johnson, miembro entrante al Concejo, que dijo que aún estaba informándose sobre el proyecto 555 Kelly y que, dado que aún se estaban llevando a cabo las negociaciones, no se sentía cómodo hablando sobre el asunto, pero que tendría más que decir de cara al 2025.

Una fuente que asistió a la reunión a puerta cerrada, explicó que al proyecto 555 Kelly aún le queda un largo camino por recorrer antes de que se pueda poner la primera piedra.

Y es que, precisó que el proyecto aún tiene que trabajar en la recaudación de dinero para construir y explotar el edificio. Además de negociar un contrato de arrendamiento que satisfaga las necesidades de la comunidad.

Menos de una docena de personas asistieron a la reunión del Ayuntamiento de Half Moon Bay de este martes. Al cabo de una hora, la gente empezó a marcharse, dejando la sala del concejo casi vacía y fría hacia el final.

La reunión del concejo duró alrededor de dos horas e incluyó actualizaciones sobre nuevas leyes como la SB 423 y la SB 35, entre otras. Esencialmente, estas leyes exigen que se desarrollen más viviendas asequibles, al tiempo que buscan reducir el lapso para obtener un permiso de construcción, y exigen que el Ayuntamiento elabore una norma clara y específica sobre qué diseños de estructuras están permitidos.

Estas nuevas leyes entrarán en vigor en menos de 30 días. El Ayuntamiento teme que las empresas urbanizadoras que tienen mucho dinero intenten entrar en Half Moon Bay y construir estructuras que no se ajusten al ambiente y el encanto de la ciudad. Por ello, el concejo acordó reunirse nuevamente y aprobar una norma temporal sobre el aspecto que debe tener la arquitectura y el estilo antes de que la ley entre en vigor, y revisarla al entrar 2025.

A su vez, se retiró el punto 1E para debatir si la ciudad debe continuar su contrato de alquiler con Kathy Oler. Half Moon Bay lleva alquilando el estacionamiento del 730 de Mill Street desde 1998 y quiere renovarlo por otros 5 años.

Sin embargo, la concejal Debrah Penrose expresó que quiere que el estacionamiento se convierta en en uno con parquímetro. No quiere que la ciudad asuma el coste del alquiler de un estacionamiento debido a que los pequeños comercios no quieren pagar una tasa por tener estos espacios de manera gratuita para sus clientes.

A la concejal Penrose también le preocupa que el estacionamiento lo utilicen principalmente los empleados y no el público. Sin embargo, el administrador municipal, Matthew Chidester, dijo que en el momento en que pidió a las empresas locales que contribuyeran con una cuota para este espacio, no estaban en condiciones de hacerlo.

En general, la ciudad acordó permitir al administrador municipal, Matthew Chidester, que siguiera adelante haciendo lo que considerara mejor, con la condición de preguntar a la propietaria, Kathy Oler, si la ciudad decide añadir parquímetros en el futuro.

El concejo terminó la noche con una actualización del presupuesto, que parecía ir por buen camino, y aprobando la 2ª enmienda al acuerdo de empleo del administrador municipal con Matthew Chidester para aumentar el salario base anual de 272 mil 950 dólares a 281 mil 138.50 dólares.

You may be interested in: Redwood City Mayor Reinforces City's Commitment to Immigrants

New labor contracts approved for San Mateo County employees

Community

Pamela Cruz

-

2024.12.04

0

New labor contracts approved for San Mateo County employees

employment contracts — New labor contracts were approved, including a five percent raise in each of the next two years and a four percent raise in 2026.

Listen to this note:

San Mateo County supervisors on Tuesday approved new three-year labor contracts with the county's largest employee unions.

The new contracts include a five percent raise in each of the next two years and a four percent raise in 2026. Employees will also receive additional contributions toward health care premiums.

“Our residents expect the highest quality public service and we firmly believe that we have the best public service workers in the state,” said the board president, Warren Slocum.

“These wage increases will help us ensure that we can retain and attract a workforce that will continue to serve our community now and in the future. We are truly investing in the people who make our community run smoothly,” he added.

The covered bargaining units include the county’s two largest unions: the Service Employees International Union Local 521, as well as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. These unions combined represent 3,690 regular employees and 1,140 employees on additional help.

Supervisors also approved new resolutions for managers, attorneys and unrepresented confidential employees who are not covered by union contracts. These new resolutions closely reflect the changes made in the new union contracts.

All workers covered by the contracts and resolutions will receive two wellness days, which encourage employees to take time off to focus on their health. All workers will also receive Cesar Chavez Day as a paid holiday beginning in 2025.

Employees covered by the SEIU contract and resolution with managers, attorneys, and unrepresented confidential employees will receive three days of “winter break” at the end of December 2024, 2025, and 2026.

The contract with SEIU Local 521 includes a wide range of job classifications, including accountants, library assistants, office specialists, criminal records technicians and election specialists, among others.

Positions covered by the AFSCME contract include cardiac sonographers, epidemiologists, forest rangers, veterans services officers and child services workers, among others.

The contracts approved by the supervisors add up to approximately $57 million in additional spending in the first year of the agreements.

Under all agreements, employees would receive an additional 1 percent pay increase in 2026 (up to 5 percent) if legislation is signed ensuring the county receives the full amount of the vehicle license fee adjustment. This is an ongoing dispute between the county and state officials with tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue at stake annually.

You may be interested in: Electoral measures, a necessary tool to give voice to all communities

CARE program for people with schizophrenia expands to all California counties

Pamela Cruz

-

2024.12.04

0

Listen to this note:

The Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program is now open in all California counties to help the most severely ill people with untreated or undertreated schizophrenia get the life-saving treatment and housing they need to stabilize, recover and thrive.

CARE Court was implemented statewide through a phased approach that began last October. The first locations to open CARE Court opened in October 2023 and included Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Stanislaus, Glenn and Tuolumne counties; Los Angeles will open in December 2023, San Mateo in July 2024 and Kern in October 2024.

“Finding treatment, housing and support for Californians with the most serious mental illnesses has been a top priority of my administration, and I am proud to see the early successes of this innovative new model,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

And, CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson said, “Starting today, all 58 counties are offering this new pathway to safety and well-being for Californians with some of the most complex behavioral health needs.”

The CARE Act builds relationships and trust between people who need the most care and those seeking it, including families, behavioral health and outreach professionals, hospitals, first responders, public defenders, and legal services attorneys. CARE also includes a special civil court that protects your rights and focuses on progress toward recovery.

First results

Initial results from CARE Court’s early implementation demonstrate that the program is having a significant impact in addressing some of the most severe cases of mental health crises on California’s streets, the state said.

She added that in the nine counties where CARE Court has already opened, the program is providing hundreds of people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders with crucial treatment and housing plans.

More than 1,400 people have connected to CARE Courts or county services directly, according to preliminary data.

CARE Court’s path to recovery is bolstered by $15.3 billion in state funding to address homelessness and $11.6 billion annually in behavioral health services.

In September, Governor Newsom signed SB 42 by Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) to streamline county and court implementation of the CARE Act by improving the petition process, facilitating communication between petitioners, respondents, judges, and county behavioral health departments, and strengthening CARE as a means to ensure long-term stabilization of participants.

You may be interested in: Homeless people in San Mateo County will have dental care in a permanent clinic

San Mateo County Supervisors Approve Ballot Measure to Give Them Power to Fire Sheriff

Peninsula 360 Press

-

2024.12.04

0

San Mateo County Supervisors Approve Ballot Measure to Give Them Power to Fire Sheriff

By Kiley Russell. Bay City News.

Listen to this note:

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors fired another salvo in their ongoing battle against Sheriff Christina Corpus on Tuesday when they voted to move forward with a charter amendment that would allow them to remove her from office.

The board voted 4-0, with Supervisor David Canepa absent, to approve the second reading of an ordinance placing the amendment on the March 4 ballot so voters can decide whether supervisors should be allowed to expand their authority to fire Corpus.

“I want people to understand that our sheriff right now is serving a six-year term, we’re finishing up the second year; there are four more years left before voters have the opportunity to vote for new leadership at the Sheriff’s Office without an intervention like a charter amendment election or a recall,” said Supervisor Noelia Corzo.

Corzo and Supervisor Ray Mueller sponsored the legislation placing the issue before voters after a prolonged period of public recriminations directed at the sheriff and her repeated, defiant denials.

Corpus is accused of retaliating against Sheriff's Office employees, using racist and homophobic slurs and giving too much power to his civilian chief of staff, Victor Aenlle, whom independent investigator and retired judge LaDoris Cordell found in her 400-page report to have had an inappropriate personal relationship with the sheriff, an allegation Corpus denies.

Corpus has repeatedly rejected calls for his resignation that have come from the board and from local, state and federal leaders such as U.S. Reps. Kevin Mullin and Anna Eshoo, state Sen. Josh Becker and Assemblymembers Marc Berman and Diane Papan.

Since Corpus took office in 2023, more than 100 sworn employees have left the Sheriff's Office and she has been the subject of votes of no confidence by unions representing her department's deputies, sergeants and lieutenants.

“At the heart of this problem is the reality that our current sheriff fails to understand, follow or respect not only county policy, but also basic ethics around conflicts of interest and much more,” Corzo said.

During the meeting's public comment period, attorneys for the sheriff, who said they have been working for her for about a week, asked supervisors to postpone the vote on the charter amendment to give them time to respond to the allegations against them, which they said are unsubstantiated.

“We have to give the sheriff a chance to respond. It is premature for you to usurp the authority of the voters,” said attorney Thomas Mazzucco.

While the supervisors voted to move forward with the measure, they also agreed to extend a formal invitation to Corpus to speak under oath before the board at its Dec. 10 meeting. Corzo abstained from the decision to invite Corpus.

“I am, again, extremely concerned that even under oath, our sheriff is using this as a platform to continue lying, so I will recuse myself from this,” she said.

Corpus did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday, but on Monday sent the board a letter opposing its decision.

In it, he called Cordell's report "a salacious broadcast of unsubstantiated accusations."

“There are many questions about how the county dealt with this despicable chapter,” Corpus wrote. “There will be an opportunity for these questions and more to come to light, but for now, the real question is whether the county’s actions to date and the proposed charter amendment can be a good justification for taking away voter choice.”

If approved by a simple majority of county voters, the amendment would allow supervisors to remove the sheriff by a four-fifths vote “for cause, including violation of law relating to the duties of a sheriff, flagrant or repeated neglect of duties, misappropriation of public funds, willful falsification of documents or obstruction of an investigation.”

It would also require supervisors to give written reasons for their dismissal and hold a hearing before the vote.

The charter amendment would expire on Dec. 31, 2028, ending the board's ability to fire the sheriff.

You may be interested in: San Mateo County confirms homophobic messages by Corpus sheriff

Persecution of critical journalism in totalitarian environments increases: Manuel Ortiz, journalist

USA USA and World

sandra martinez

-

2024.12.03

0

Persecution of critical journalism in totalitarian environments increases: Manuel Ortiz, journalist

persecution of journalism — Crece persecución al periodismo critico, los periodistas críticos que simplemente desaparecen, son gente muy comprometida con la humanidad y reportar sin tendencias políticas, pues ponen en riesgo su vida para que no queden impunes todos los delitos de lesa humanidad, comentó Manuel Ortiz.

Listen to this note:

The periodismo crítico se encuentra en peligro ante las figuras totalitarias que controlan la información en diferentes países, de acuerdo con Manuel Ortiz, quien fue testigo de la persecución de periodistas y medios de comunicación durante su labor en Líbano, contexto que no ve tan lejano para Estados Unidos ante la llegada de Donald Trump.

En los países de medio oriente se vive un ambiente de persecución a medios críticos de comunicación, donde los mandatarios tienen todo el poder y no quieren ser cuestionados por absolutamente nadie, comentó el periodista Manuel Ortiz en entrevista con Marcos Gutiérrez durante el programa de radio Península 360 Press en Hecho en California.

Ortiz realizó un viaje a medio oriente con el objetivo de documentar y conocer la situación que viven las personas desplazadas y refugiadas de Líbano por los ataques de Israel, los cuales no parecen tener fin; pero también para crear vínculos con organizaciones y periodistas que están trabajando en este contexto.

Durante su estancia en Líbano, le tocó ser testigo del acuerdo de alto al fuego, sin embargo, a pocos días de realizar el anunció se han registrado 50 ataques, según un informe emitido por Francia.

“La condición de hacer periodismo en un contexto de autoritarismo, es una labor dificil”, comentó Ortiz compartiendo su experiencia al conocer sobre un medio de comunicación israelí que ha sido critico al gobierno del Primer Ministro de Israel, Benjamín Netanyahu. Este medio realiza periodismo informativo ante el genocidio que se vive en Gaza, sin embargo, “les ha salido caro”, pues viven persecuciones por ejercer su labor.

En Turquía también se vive un ambiente de hostigamiento, pues se han encarcelado a periodistas que ejercían su derecho de libre expresión ante las problemáticas del país, llevando a que ya no existan medios críticos, destacó el también sociólogo.

Estando en Turquía, Ortiz conversó con una periodista la cual hizo comentarios para una cadena de televisión donde dijo que los ataques de Israel han causado muchos desplazamiento de civiles, niños, adultos mayores y mujeres. Tras ello, fue atacada en redes sociales a través de cuentas, la mayoría de ellas falsas.

En el contexto de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, quien tomará el cargo de presidente el próximo 20 de enero de 2025, ha elegido a Kash Patel como director del FBI, mismo que en 2023, durante una entrevista con Steve Bannon, dijo que el Departamento de Justicia iría tras miembros de los medios de comunicación.

“Saldrá y encontrará a los conspiradores, no solo en el gobierno sino en los medios de comunicación”, dijo Patel en dicha entrevista.

“Sí, vamos a ir a por la gente de los medios que mintió sobre los ciudadanos estadounidenses, que ayudó a Joe Biden a robar en las elecciones presidenciales: vamos a ir a por ustedes”, agregó.

Ante ello, Manuel Ortiz destacó que “no hay absolutamente ninguna prueba de que le robaron la elección a Donald Trump, sino todo lo contrario. Es un mensaje para los periodistas que yo interpreto como: el que no se quiera callar nos vamos contra él, contra ella o contra el medio. Así el mundo en estos momentos”.

Y es que, los periodistas críticos que simplemente desaparecen, son gente muy comprometida con la humanidad y reportar sin tendencias políticas, pues ponen en riesgo su vida para que no queden impunes todos los delitos de lesa humanidad, finalizó el también fotógrafo Manuel Ortiz.

You may be interested in: Israeli attacks intensify in the face of ceasefire agreements: Manuel Ortiz, journalist in Lebanon

Authorities urge to prevent Christmas tree fires

Pamela Cruz

-

2024.12.03

0

Listen to this note:

Every year, around 150 Christmas tree fires in homes are recorded in the country, leading to serious monetary and even human losses, in addition to causing severe civilian injuries. Therefore, authorities in the city of San José have called for attention to prevent this type of incident.

All trees, real or artificial, pose a fire risk if you are not careful.

To help keep the community safe during the holiday season, the San Jose Fire Department has created an educational video on Christmas tree fire safety and prevention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBkHe220nuc

They have also issued safety tips for this holiday season.

When selecting an artificial tree, look for the following:

Make sure the tree has a fire-retardant coating. For example, you might see a label that says “Fire Resistant.” While this protection doesn’t mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate that it will withstand fire and should be extinguished quickly.

If you choose a pre-lit tree, check to make sure it has not been previously recalled.

Pre-lit artificial trees may be recalled for safety issues, such as exposed wires, which could cause them to catch fire. Do an online search at least once a year to verify that your tree has not been recalled; new recalls may be issued when new problems are found, even with older products.

When selecting a live tree, look for the following:

Fresh trees are green. Avoid trees with brown or yellowish needles. Look for firm needles. You'll want needles that are hard to pull off the branches and won't break when you bend them with your fingers. When you tap the tree on the ground, you shouldn't lose many needles.

The underside of a fresh tree trunk is sticky with resin.

Beware of trees that have a greenish tint to the trunk and branches. Some growers may spray the trees with green paint to make them look more attractive.

How to put up a Christmas tree

The way you set up and care for your tree will greatly affect how long it lasts, how beautiful it is, and how safe it will be to have it in your home.

Keep the following tips in mind when setting up your Christmas tree:

Cut two inches off the trunk. Before placing the tree in a stand, cut two inches off the trunk at a 45° angle. This will expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Remember that a well-watered tree is less likely to catch fire.

Keep the tree away from any heat sources. Keep a distance of at least three feet between the tree and fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, wood stoves, lights, etc. More than 20 percent of Christmas tree fires are due to heat sources placed too close to the tree.

Place the tree away from stairs. Fire can spread quickly up stairs and out of control. Place the tree out of the way of traffic. Make sure the tree does not block any exits or doors.

Place water in the tree stand and check the water level daily. Water as needed. Remember that newly cut trees can absorb a lot of water in the first 24 hours.

Make sure the tree is sturdy. If it seems wobbly, center it on the stand more securely and re-attach any bolts or screws. If the stand is too small, buy a larger, sturdier one. You can also use thin guy wires to secure tall trees to walls or ceilings.

How to safely hang lights on a Christmas tree

Nearly one-third of Christmas tree fires in homes are caused by electrical problems. Lights can be a wonderful addition to a Christmas tree, as long as you keep the following safety precautions in mind:

Only use lights approved by a qualified testing laboratory.

Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.

Do not use more than three standard-size light sets per extension cord. Use only one extension cord per outlet.

Turn off your tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

Inspect lights before use. Check both new and old lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or peeling wires, and loose connections. Discard damaged sets.

Be careful where you place electrical cords. Don't run electrical cords under carpets; foot traffic can weaken insulation and cords can overheat. Be careful when running cords behind or under furniture; tightly packed cords can fray and cause a short circuit. For more information, visit our Home Electrical Safety webpage.

Use LED lights on your tree. They consume less energy and do not get as hot.

How to safely dispose of a Christmas tree

Once the holiday season is over, dispose of your Christmas tree promptly. The longer it stays on the tree, the greater the risk of fire.

Do not store an old tree in your home or garage.

Discard trees within one month of purchase or when the tree begins to lose needles, whichever comes first.

Please dispose of your tree properly. During the holiday season, natural and textile fiber trees will be collected on the same day as yard waste. For instructions on how to prepare your tree for collection, please visit www.SanJoseRecycles.org.

Never burn Christmas trees in a fireplace or wood stove. Fir and pine trees have a lot of sap, which can explode. The needles also burn quickly and strongly. The flames can flare out of control and cause sparks to fly all over the room. They can also ignite creosote deposits and cause a chimney fire.

You may be interested in: San Mateo County Events Center becomes temporary shelter for homeless people

Homeless people in San Mateo County will have dental care in a permanent clinic

Pamela Cruz

-

2024.12.03

0

San Mateo County Navigation Center's permanent clinic will provide dental care to homeless individuals.

Listen to this note:

A permanent dental clinic is now available five days a week to serve interim housing residents of the San Mateo County Homeless Navigation Center.

The 240-unit facility, operated by LifeMoves, provides temporary housing, case management, and access to the full range of health care, mental health and substance use services, social supports, and other programs of the County and its partner agencies.

Previously, dental care was available at the Navigation Center through weekly visits from the mobile dental clinic. San Mateo County Health or scheduling an appointment with a provider located elsewhere. Now, with on-site services available throughout the week, accessing dental care at the Navigation Center is much easier.

The dental clinic is operated by the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific and provides free preventive and restorative dental care and specialty care, including examinations, cleanings, fillings and emergency treatments, as well as oral surgery, endodontics and periodontics, performed by dental students under the supervision of the faculty and with the assistance of a registered dental assistant.

With a capacity for 2,500 visits per year, the program is expected to treat up to 800 people per year.

“Good oral health is inextricably linked to overall health and well-being. We are proud to partner with San Mateo County on this cutting-edge approach to addressing the health care needs of Navigation Center clients and look forward to replicating this model in other counties and jurisdictions,” said Dean and Vice Provost Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi of the Dugoni School.

San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy said the dental clinic is an important step toward achieving the county's goals for the homeless.

With the addition of dental services, the Navigation Centre now houses two primary care centres. A medical clinic, operated by Healthcare in Action, offers free medical consultations and treatment to Navigation Centre clients.

A referral system allows clients who enter one facility to receive an appointment for treatment at the other, as well as access other services and benefits, with the help of a LifeMoves case manager.

Dental coverage is included as a Medi-Cal benefit in California.

With preventative care, including regular cleanings, patients require fewer extractions and with a healthier mouth can see an improvement in their quality of life. Studies have shown that combining medical and dental coverage can result in a reduction in emergency department utilization for dental visits.

Regular preventive care can reduce overall dental costs compared to the costs of treating patients without preventive care, including oral surgeries. There is even a reduction in dentistry-related opioid prescriptions.

The clinic's operating partners are LifeMoves, Healthcare In Action, University of the Pacific, and Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry; it is funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

You may be interested in: San Mateo County health officials respond to new strain of Mpox

49% of California legislature members will be women

Community

Peninsula 360 Press

-

2024.12.02

0

49% of California legislature members will be women

Este lunes será un día histórico en la Legislatura de California: la clase más grande de legisladoras en la historia del estado prestará juramento, lo que elevará el total al 49 por ciento de sus miembros siendo mujeres. Sello del Gobernador de California. logotipo (Oficina del Gobernador vía Bay City News)

By Bay City News.

Listen to this note:

Este lunes será un día histórico en la Legislatura del Estado de California: la clase más grande de legisladoras en la historia del estado prestará juramento, lo que elevará el total al 49 por ciento de sus miembros siendo mujeres.

Un récord de 59 mujeres ocuparán cargos en la próxima sesión, el doble de la cantidad de mujeres que ocupaban cargos hace apenas siete años, según Close the Gap California, una organización sin fines de lucro que recluta y prepara a mujeres progresistas para postularse a la legislatura.

“Las mujeres líderes de California crearon leyes vitales para proteger las libertades y las comunidades que estaban bajo ataque durante la primera presidencia de Trump. La diferencia entre entonces y ahora es que en 2025 tendremos el doble de mujeres en la Legislatura, y no tengo dudas de que veremos a las mujeres de California estar a la altura de los desafíos que se avecinan”, dijo Susannah Delano, directora ejecutiva de la organización sin fines de lucro.

Según el Centro para Mujeres Estadounidenses en Política de la Universidad Rutgers, se proyecta que solo tres estados (Colorado, Nuevo México y Nevada) logren la paridad de género en sus legislaturas estatales después de las elecciones de noviembre.

You may be interested in: Redwood City Mayor Reinforces City's Commitment to Immigrants